The Iowa coaches have been to see DeJuan Marrero several times in the past year and according to the athletic wing forward, the Hawkeyes appear to be close to extending a scholarship offer.

The July evaluation period began last week and the Hawkeyes were front and center in Philadelphia watching Marrero at the Reebok sponsored event.

"Iowa was there watching me," Marrero said. "They are in on me pretty hard right now and they seem to be close to offering. They have told me they like that I play hard all the time and the way I bring toughness and intensity to the court."

Marrero is being primarily recruited by Iowa assistant coach Sherman Dillard, who has been to his high school several times in the past year.

"I like Coach Dillard a lot. He is a really cool guy and I've enjoyed being recruited by him."

Iowa isn't the only Big Ten school involved with the 6-foot-5 and 200 pound forward. Illinois has had an offer on the table for quite a while and Minnesota recently entered the chase. Coach Bruce Weber and Minnesota's Tubby Smith stopped by the AAU event in Elmhurst, IL this past weekend to watch Marrero play with his Spiece Indy Heat AAU team.

"I've been down to Illinois a lot and I have a really good relationship with the coaches there," he said. "Minnesota recently offered and I really like them as well. They have been coming on strong with their interest."

Marrero said that he is still up in the air with the next step in his recruitment. He will likely take official visits this fall, but he said he could make a decision following the July evaluation period.